No Start - Clicking instead of cranking - not a dead battery

[tony2much]

Hey all,

I have a 91 MM with a stock 2.4. I have a consistent issue with starting where the truck will give a single "click" but will not start. Sometimes it will start first try, sometimes after 1 or 2 clicks, sometimes after 30 plus clicks. As of now, it has always started eventually. Here is a video of the issue - https://youtu.be/hLUXEFSWQ9Y

The click I hear is coming from the right passenger footwell. I assume its a relay, but my Haynes manual doesn't list a relay - just a solenoid on the starter. The previous owner stated it happened to him frequently, but always eventually started. The issue has persisted even after a new battery and a new starter, so I have ruled those out.

It has become more frequent over the past couple of months. Before it would happen every few starts, now it seems to be almost every time. I'd love to get this figured out as it's quite embarrassing while trying to leave a gas station or event.

Any thoughts? Anyone dealt with this issue before?

[Law Dog]

Fuel pump relay and your ECU (computer) is on the passenger side. I’d clean and redo the battery and starter connections before I got too excited first.

[camoit]

Put a jumper cable between the + on the battery to the starter. Put the ground between the battery and the block. Then test it. If still only 1 click. It’s probably a solenoid. Some can be taken apart and you can clean up the contact plate inside it.